April ELC Newsletter

April showers bring May flowers... as the grass starts to turn green and the flowers peek through, we will be "springing" into new growth and discovery at the ELC! March was full of beautiful days playing outside, muddy days engaging in messy play, wrapping up current studies and moving on to other adventures. The last quarter of the school year is so exciting that it will be the end of the year before we know it. We have many students who will be transitioning into Kindergarten and finishing up their preschool days. In lieu of a traditional graduation, we will celebrate with our inclusive end of the year Multicultural Event! We can not think of a better way to end this school year than to celebrate with all of our ELC friends and families! We will have many other events happening throughout April. Make sure to join us and celebrate this awesome year!

Our preschool classrooms are buzzing with curiosity and hands-on learning as children dive into a variety of exciting Creative Curriculum studies! From digging into Gardening and observing how plants grow, to exploring the wonders of Weather, students are asking questions, making predictions, and documenting their discoveries. In The Human Body study, children are learning about how their bodies work through movement, measurement, and interactive experiences.

In the Tools study, children have been especially engaged in exploring doctor’s tools through dramatic play—taking on roles as doctors and patients while using items like stethoscopes and thermometers to care for one another. This meaningful play is helping them build empathy, language, and an understanding of real-world tools.

Budding chefs are also hard at work in the Restaurants study, creating menus, preparing meals, and serving their friends. In the Roads study, students have taken their learning even further by designing a drive-through McDonald’s in dramatic play—exploring how roads connect communities while incorporating real-world experiences into their imaginative play.

These rich, play-based experiences are fostering creativity, problem-solving, and a love of learning every day!

Our outdoor space has been full of rich, meaningful learning as children explore, create, and discover through play. Recently, many of our young learners have been embracing the joy of messy play—pulling on their rainboots and diving into mud, water, and loose parts with curiosity and excitement.

These experiences may look simple, but they are incredibly powerful. As children mix, scoop, build, and experiment, they are developing problem-solving skills, creativity, and perseverance. Working with natural materials encourages collaboration, sparks imagination, and supports sensory development in ways that structured activities simply cannot replicate.

Through muddy hands and joyful laughter, children are learning to take risks, test ideas, and make sense of the world around them. This is the heart of meaningful early learning—growing through play.

We LOVE feedback! Please fill out this brief survey if you attended one of our events, to offer suggestions/celebrations/concerns, or anything else you would like to share with us!

If your family's SNAP benefits are being affected by the current government shutdown, please click the image below. This resource guide will provide local area food pantries that you are able to access if need be.

If you are experiencing a hardship or need a little extra help, please email tschofield@emsd37.org.

Click the image if your child is in need of a coat. The ELC has partnered with the East Moline Rotary Club to provide coats for our students. Supplies may be limited.

Our school implements The Pyramid Model, a framework for supporting the social and emotional development of our children. An important part of our Pyramid Model work includes supporting families and sharing information about promoting social and emotional skills at home.

This month, learn How to Use Visual Schedules to Help Your Child Understand Expectations and be sure to check out the related tip sheet for visuals that you can use at home!

How to Use Visual Schedules to Help Your Child Understand Expectations- English

Tip Sheet/Visuals for Families- English

How to Use Visual Schedules to Help Your Child Understand Expectations- Spanish

Tip Sheet/Visuals for Families - Spanish

If you would like to be a guest reader for our Lending Library contact Ms. Tara

📚🎒 Looking for local community events and activities? The EMSD Digital Backpack is your go-to spot for community happenings!

Click the QR code to view this month's breakfast and lunch menus

April 8th- Parent Training with Alissa Mcgraw @ ELC 5:00- 6:15

April 20th- Earth Day Playgroup @ East Moline Library 4:15- 5:00

April 24th- Field Trip for Ms. Griffith and Ms. Burns Class

April 28th- Bus Driver Appreciation Day

April 30th- Early Learning Center Multicultural Event

May 6th- No School: In Service

May 25th- No School: Memorial Day

May 28th- Last Day of School and Field Day

May 29th- No School: In Service for Staff

Enjoy your summer Little Panthers!

Do you have younger children? Bring them in for a developmental check-up! Open to EMSD residents with children aged 0-5 years old. Call our secretary, Lindsay, to schedule an appointment for a screening. Currently enrolled students do not need to be screened.

Important contacts:

Main Office: 309-865-6900

Lindsay Hill, Secretary (lhill@emsd37.org)

Tara Schofield, Family Educator (tschofield@emsd37.org)

Melissa McCullough, Principal (mmccullough@emsd37.org)